lemon.markets, a Berlin-based FinTech, has recently raised an additional €12 million in funding. The company, founded in 2020, aims to open 100 million brokerage accounts. It provides digital brokerage and custody infrastructure, allowing any company to offer investment products. This recent capital injection will accelerate their platform development and enable them to bring new partners and products to the market.
Traditional financial players and fintech companies alike see the potential to innovate in digital investment solutions, thereby increasing accessibility for consumers. In Germany, a substantial percentage of financial assets are still held in cash and bank deposits, underscoring the need for more advanced investment options. lemon.markets’ platform supports a variety of products including ETFs, Funds, and Stocks, making it easier for banks and wealth managers to offer these to their customers.
Funding and Partnerships
CommerzVentures, Heliad, and existing investors like Creandum, Lakestar, Lightspeed, and System.one participated in this funding round. Max Linden, founder and CEO of lemon.markets, emphasized the strength of their partnership with CommerzVentures. He believes the fresh funding will help them capitalize on market momentum, bringing more partners and products to life in the coming months. Jonas Wenke of CommerzVentures expressed excitement about leading the funding round, praising the talent and vision of the lemon.markets team.
Infrastructure and Services
The modular design of lemon.markets’ platform allows it to be configured according to the partner’s specific use case. Its API-first architecture significantly reduces integration time, making it easier for partners to adopt. Additionally, the company supports partners throughout the value chain, from migration projects to the launch of individual investment products. In January 2024, lemon.markets obtained the necessary licenses from BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany, to operate as an investment firm.
This development allows lemon.markets to provide a range of services including contract broking, investment advice, financial portfolio management, and proprietary trading. Simon Schmincke, General Partner at Creandum, highlighted the importance of expanding digital investment products to encourage broader participation in capital markets. He noted that lemon.markets’ combination of securities services expertise and technical understanding positions them uniquely to win clients from both fintechs and traditional financial players.
Key Inferences
– Lemon.markets raised €12 million, aimed at expanding its digital investment platform.
– The funding will help them launch new partners and products in the upcoming months.
– Obtained licenses from BaFin to offer diverse financial services.
The recent funding round for lemon.markets highlights the growing interest in digital brokerage and investment services. The company’s platform, designed to integrate easily with partners’ systems, is poised to make significant inroads into a market still dominated by traditional banking practices. With the backing of major investors and the necessary regulatory licenses secured, lemon.markets is well-positioned to become a major player in the European brokerage and custody sector. The focus on modularity and API-first architecture suggests a forward-thinking approach that could set new standards for the industry.
